The operating system is the software that manages the hardware of a computer. It allocates the amount of time each program is allowed to use the CPU, allocates disk storage space and protects the data from unauthorised access. It also offers an interface between software and hardware. This allows the software to interact with a wide variety of hardware devices like printers, WiFi adapters and hard disk drives.
In addition to the aforementioned features In addition to the above features, an OS allows multiple software processes to run concurrently on a single processor. Multitasking is what it is called. It also permits the user to interact directly with the computer via the GUI interface (graphical) or command line interface. The operating system may be a single program that runs in memory, or a collection of programs and libraries on the hard drive that are loaded into memory as required.
Other essential functions of an operating system are error detection. The system continuously monitors inputs and outputs to detect errors and prevent any further issues. It is also accountable to monitor network connections and establish security protocols to protect against unauthorized access.
The OS also stores drivers of devices in a standard file format to facilitate identification. It also installs and configures new drivers when hardware is replaced. The OS can also translate high-level programming into machine code using the compiler and loader. It can even transfer data from a disc if it detects bad sectors.
